Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-03-07
EVERYBODY SKATES.
GAY SPECTACLES ON THE ICY PLEAS
URE GROUNDS OF AMSTERDAM.
Hollandsche Girls and Boys the Cham
pion skaters of the Giobe-An Army on
Skates-KemarkabIe Exploits of some
Student skaters.

The lads and lassics of New York city
who are indulGiug in the invigorating
pastime of skating may not, perhaps, be
aware of the fact that the HOllandsCho
girls and boys are the most expert and in
veterate skaters in all the world No
where has the opportunity for skating
been SO thoroughly utilized, both for 3usi-
ness and pleasure, as in Holland. The
plcntitude Of water courses. combined with
the cold winters make lOcOmOtiOn On ice
more practicable there than in any other
part of the inhabited globe. During the
winter months all the products from farms
and dairies within n radius of twenty or
thirty miles from Amsterdam are brought
to market upon ice sleds, invariably
pushed by the sturdy Beers and Boerin-
men, of the country Imagine sled ten
feet long by four feet broad and high,
something like Il box on runners: fill this
up with potatoes, cabbage or other pro-
duce when coming from the farm, or with
large tins of butter, milk or cream, if
from dairy. Now place strong pole
six feet long across the back part Of the
top of this vehicle; then four persons, two
of them women, will push this freight car
from Weesp to Amsterdam. sixteen Eng
lish miles distant, in an hour and thirty
minutes, taking il very easy on the road
and rcfraining from discussing the feat,
as it is one of every day occurrence.
CANALS AND ISLANDS.
As Amsterdam is made up of 100 little
islands, formed by the intersection of
numerous canals, the click of steel clad
feet is heard all around the tourist. The
grandest view of humanity on wings can
he had in the environs Of Amsterdam on a
Sunday afternoon. Upon an ice covered
space Of more than six miles square,
crested by the union of the Amstel and
the Y. the inhabitants Of Amsterdam and
vicinity are ont in force, and TO see a
gathering of 10000 skaters is nothing
wonderful. Rows of tents, used as restau-
rants. billiard saloons, theatres, etc, meet
the eye everywhere, and the tired skater
has always a place on hand where rest
and supply for the inner man can be
obtained. Gazing upon this flying assem-
bly, the eye is drawn to couple who, hand
i'll hand. execute the most difficult feat Of
scientific skating, or who, in company
with others. go through the peculiarly in
triCate movements of the qUadrille
Further on IA space of POO yards long by 80
broad is lined on both sides with specta-
tors to view the swiftness of competitive
racing Both ladies and gentlemen in
dulge in these races, and every season
prizes are offered by the city authorities
for the swftest skater. Crossing this
skating place, you are nearly Overrun by
a joyful band of rosy checked lads and
lassies, who, believing there is speed in
union, have supplied themselves with a
gayly colored pole twenty feet long, and
placing it under the right arms Of the
skaters, ranged one after another, ami
hilate space with the velocity of race
horse.
1t is a very common exploit for students
from the Leyden academy, thirtytwo
miles distant from Amsterdam, to visit
the capital city for few hours skating
with their friends and To return TO their
alma mater on the same day. From a re-
mark made to a skating student by gen.
tleman that his companion was an Ameri-
can. the flaps of the tent in which the
billiard table had place We're thrown open
and the American lady was treated to IL
performance strange to foreign eyes. Over
twenty students placed themselves about
100 yards distant from the side of the
table, and at IL given signal one after the
other skated toward the tent, and increas-
ing their speed while diminishing the dis
tance, cleared the table at a leap-surely
pastime none but Holland student
cOull inIuIup in